What does GYPSY mean?

Parts of Speech

Noun, adjective

Definitions

• A member of a traditionally itinerant people who originated in northern India and now live chiefly in south and southwest Asia, Europe, and North America (noun)
• A nomadic or free-spirited person (adjective)

Pronunciations

• US: /ˈdʒɪpsi/
• UK: /ˈdʒɪpsi/

Origin and Usage

The word "gypsy" originated from the word "Egyptian," as it was believed that the Romani people who traveled to Europe in the 14th and 15th centuries were from Egypt. The term is now considered a slur by many members of the Romani community, who prefer to be called Romani or Roma. However, the word is still commonly used in English to refer to the Romani people, as well as to describe a free-spirited or unconventional person.

Synonyms

• Romani
• Roma
• traveler
• wanderer
• bohemian

Related Words

• nomad
• gayer
• gyves
• golly
• goofy

Example Sentences

• She was a free-spirited gypsy who traveled the world with no destination in mind.
• The gypsy caravan made its way through the countryside, stopping only to trade with local farmers.
• Many Romani people consider the word "gypsy" to be a racial slur.
• He was a nomad at heart, living out of his van and traveling from place to place like a modern-day gypsy.